Graveyard Point Plume Agate is a unique and prized variety of agates from far eastern Oregon, near the Oregon-Idaho border.
This agate forms naturally within fractures in basalt rock. These agate-filled fractures can be as thick as 18 inches and extend up to 40 feet. Though most veins are vertical, they sometimes branch in multiple directions.
These cracks are often filled with clear chalcedony, adorned with plume-like inclusions and, occasionally, black dendrites.
While the chalcedony background color is typically clear or light blue, specimens in light amber, reddish, or dark gray hues might also be found.
Plume agate formation is often associated with ancient hot springs and the slow crystallization of silica-rich mineral water within cavities of volcanic rocks.
Why Graveyard Point Plume agate is special?
Graveyard Point Plume Agate is highly prized among rock collectors for its unique and striking aesthetic qualities and rarity.
This agate, known for its flame-like patterns, has delicate, feather-like plumes that seem to float in a see-through stone.
The plumes come in colors like white, yellow, orange, red, and sometimes lavender or pink, often with darker tones that give the agate a deep, striking look.
Besides plume agate, collectors can also find other varieties of agate, quartz, petrified wood, limb casts, picture jasper, and jasper.
While there are plenty of agate floats scattered on the surface, larger, higher-quality pieces often require more effort.
To find these hidden treasures, locate a vein, grab your geological pick, and get ready to dig.
Value of Raw Graveyard Point Plume Agate
The price of raw plume agate from Graveyard Point depends on its quality, size, and color.
Rough pieces can cost from $5 to $15 per pound, making them a budget-friendly option for hobbyists and collectors who enjoy cutting and polishing stones.
However, premium rough material with well-defined plumes, translucent areas, or unique color patterns can command significantly higher prices, often reaching $20 to $50 per pound or more.
Larger, high-grade pieces, especially those with rare color combinations or complex plume formations, may be priced even higher due to their desirability among artisans and collectors.
Where Graveyard Point Public Area is located?
The public rockhounding area sits on the easternmost part of Oregon, but to get there, you need to enter from Idaho.
GPS: N 43°33.554' W 117°02.066'
Do not rely on the Google navigation. Use directions provided in many sources, including books and websites.
This place has drawn rock collectors for nearly four decades and still remains active.
The Graveyard Point public area is vast, though there are also several ongoing mining claims.
Be sure to watch for posted signs marked by PVC pipes or wooden posts, and always adhere to BLM rules and regulations.
Graveyard Point Agate Lapidary Use
Graveyard Point Agate is popular in lapidary work due to its exceptional quality, unique plume formations, and striking color contrasts. Lapidary artists use it primarily for making cabochons.
If the direction of the plumes is identified in the rough specimen, it is possible to cut the stone to create the desired effect.
When cut and polished, this agate reveals layers of intricate, feather-like patterns that make each piece truly unique, often set in rings, necklaces, and other jewelry.
Beyond cabochons, plume agate is also used to create carvings, inlays, and decorative objects, where its plume formations are displayed as a natural work of art.
